WEE!

The first time I ever got into trouble with my bike, er, trike actually, was when I figured out if I turned it upside down I could use it to shoot gravel at the side of the house. Dad wasn't so keen on that idea.

The first bike I ever actually got to help pick out was a purple number with a banana seat and ape-hanger handle bars. I used to pretend it was alive and ride it through fields and all over, just going and pretending the bike was taking me somewhere only it knew about.

We moved all the time and that feeling of getting on the bike and lighting out to parts unknown, exploring the new terrain, kind of got worn into me like a groove. Even when I was a snotty teenager I rode, sometimes with a cigarette hanging out of my mouth (wow, cool huh?-- not), but I rode. My bike still feels like a magic carpet at times.

Now Mama's got a brand new bag (mountain biking) and a brand new ride. I still have the hula bike and love it, even if it's kind of a joke. She rides nice and everyone who sees us underestimates us which can work out pretty good at times. She's for roads though.

This was the one I wanted at first, just because that metallic blue paint job was so alluring. I knew, of course, that that was no way to pick a bike. Al, the owner of the bike shop I frequent, Ramsey Cycles (awesomeness-- shop there), said, "I'm glad to hear you think it's pretty, because some guy just bought one for his girlfriend, but that's not the bike for you, not for where you want to ride-- too flimsy."

I originally planned to bling-out whatever bike I wound-up really obnoxiously, like my helmet-- back when rhinestone flames were part of the plan. Can't you see it? Me zooming along-- handlebar streamers whipping in the wind? Giant bell going "ching ching" as I blew by people?

But when I saw her -- my new bike...

All her gorgeous little details...

The fancy cranberry and white paint job I would never have picked out
but that is so perfect and reminds me of Hawaii...

All her brand new parts, still all shiny and gleaming...

I knew sticking a bunch of gaudy crap all over her was NOT going to happen. She's perfect just how she is. Her white parts remind me of go-go boots.

She was actually the only bike that fit me besides some lame-o fake mountain bikes that looked like giant Barbie rides, and this other one that was several hundred dollars more than I had. The BSG's (bike store guys) were amazed I was riding Hillside on my husband's too-big-for-me cross bike. Al said, "Once you try it on this, you'll be amazed how much easier it will feel." We'll see.

Some guy who works there, the BSG who tuned-up Dan's for me actually, invited me to ride with him and his crew Sat mornings @ 6 freakin' A.M. (I know-- farmer early yo) Al was like, "You should!" I said, "But they're boys. If I actually showed-up they'd all bum-out and be frustrated to have someone so newby and slow tagging along."

They told me lots of people don't even get as far as I did my first couple of tries, even on actual mountain bikes-- that fit. Who knows, maybe I will show up some Sat. morning. It would be nice to have some people to ride with sometimes. I keep looking for girls to do stuff with, but not much luck so far. Trusty Pam was gone all last week and I had totally no one to play with at all. (pouts).

In the meantime I will take my new honey over to the trail tomorrow (if it's not too wet) and try her out. I don't dare ask to join anyone's little ride group until I know I can at least half-way keep up. Stay tuned.

EDIT TO ADD;
Just noticed, my new bike is the exact same color as my dream drum set from a couple posts ago! (Insert Twilight Zone music here!)